Pysch Chapter 14: Psychological Disorders

Medical Model

Psychological disorders have biological and physiological causes, defined symptoms, and possible cures

Integrative Perspective

Disorders arise from biological + psychological + environmental factors. No single cause → multiple interacting influences.

Diathesis stress model

You inherit a vulnerability (diathesis) → disorder appears when stress triggers it.
Example: genetic risk for depression + breakup = onset.

Intervention causality fallacy 

Just because a treatment helps a disorder does NOT mean the underlying cause is that treatment’s mechanism (e.g., antidepressants help depression → does NOT prove serotonin imbalance is the cause)

Research Domain Criteria Project (RDoC)

New framework for researching disorders by dimensions of functioning (e.g., attention, fear systems) instead of DSM categories

Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-V)

Classification system describing symptoms used to diagnose mental disorders

Comorbidity

Having two or more disorders simultaneously

Anxiety disorders

Generalized Anxiety, Phobia, Panic, Obsessive-Complusive

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Chronic, excessive worry 6+ months. Symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, concentration problems, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance.

Phobic Disorders

Specific and Social 

Specific Phobia

Fear of specific object/ situation (e.g., heights, spiders)

Social Phobia (Social Anxiety)

Fear of being evaluated/ judged by others

Obsessive-Complusive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessions and Complusions

Obsessions

Intrusive thoughts

Compulsions

repetitive behaviors to reduce anxiety. ex: handwashing, checking locks, counting

Mood Disorders

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Dysthymia, Double Depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Bipolar Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Severe depression lasting 2+ weeks, daily

Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder)

Low mood lasting 2+ years

Double Depression

Dysthymia + Episodic major depression

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Depression that occurs seasonally (usually winter)

Bipolar Disorder

Alternating manic and depressive episodes. Mania = elevated mood, decreased sleep, risky behavior. Time frame: at least 1 week of mania.

Aaron Beck’s Helplessness Theory

People with depression automatically interpret events in a negative, hopeless, internal, stable, global way. (“Bad things are my fault, will last forever, and affect everything.”)

Schizophrenia

Positive, Negative Symptoms and Dopamine Hypothesis

Positive symptoms of Schizophrenia 

Delusions, Hallucinations, Disorganized speech, Disorganized or catatonic behavior

Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Flat affect, Social withdrawl, Lack of motivation, Poverty of speech 

Dopamine Hypothesis of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia involves excess dopamine activity (oversimplified but important)

Personality Disorders

Cluster A, B, C, Antisocial

Cluster A of Personality Disorders

Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal

Cluster B of Personality Disorders

Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic

Cluster C of Personality Disorders

Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Complusive

Antisocial Personality Disorder of Personality Disorders

Lack of empathy, deceitfulness, impulsivity

Neuroimaging

Reduced activity in amygdala and prefrontal cortex